6 smart gadgets to lower your DEWA bill for UAE summers, 2026

Looking to cut down on your electricity bills without giving up comfort? After speaking to Nithin Jose, who helps in installing smart home devices at home, we’ve rounded up the top-rated smart gadgets that make saving energy a whole lot easier in 2026. From clever plugs and power strips to smart thermostats, energy monitors, and efficient lighting, these devices put control back in your hands, literally. We scoured the best-reviewed, most practical products that combine ease of use, automation, and real savings for UAE homes. So, if you want to stop phantom power, optimise air conditioning, or monitor solar output, these six smart gadgets are designed to help you reduce waste, save money, and run your home more efficiently.

Jose's pick: The TP-Link Tapo P100 Smart Wi-Fi Plug can give you precise control over devices that would otherwise continue drawing power in standby mode, a common issue with modern electronics, which rarely turn off completely. While a single device in standby might only consume 0.5–2W, the combined effect of multiple devices such as TVs, soundbars, coffee machines, and gaming consoles can account for roughly 5–10% of a typical household’s electricity bill. By physically breaking the circuit, the P100 reduces that standby draw to near zero, although the plug itself requires a very small amount of electricity (typically less than 1W) to stay connected to Wi-Fi. In practical terms, if a device normally draws 5W in standby, using the smart plug saves around 4W net. However, it’s worth noting that for very efficient modern devices, like LED lamps that already consume almost no power when off, the plug’s own standby usage could slightly exceed the energy the device would have used. The P100 is therefore most effective on 'heavy' standby offenders, such as older gaming consoles, audio receivers, and other electronics that draw significant power even when not actively in use, allowing households to cut unnecessary energy consumption in a simple, automated way.

The 2025 ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential helps lower electricity bills by optimising how and when your heating and cooling systems run, which are often the largest contributors to household energy use. By connecting to Wi-Fi and working with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, it allows you to remotely adjust temperatures, set schedules, and create automated routines that ensure your HVAC system only operates when needed. Unlike traditional thermostats that maintain a constant temperature regardless of occupancy, the ecobee can reduce energy waste by lowering cooling or heating when rooms are unoccupied or during times of the day when you don’t need full climate control. Being Energy Star certified, it is designed to meet strict efficiency standards, further ensuring minimal energy use without sacrificing comfort. While it supports only one fan speed, its programmable schedules and smart automation still enable households to cut unnecessary electricity consumption, particularly during peak usage hours, translating into measurable savings over time.

The EMPORIA ENERGY Gen 3 Smart Home Monitor provides real-time visibility into how much energy every device in your home is using. By connecting directly to your electrical panel, it tracks consumption at both the whole-home and individual-appliance level, allowing you to identify energy-hungry devices and adjust usage accordingly. It also supports solar and net metering, so you can monitor energy production and consumption simultaneously, helping optimise self-consumption of solar power. With real-time alerts, automated schedules, and remote control via a smartphone app, it empowers homeowners to make data-driven decisions, such as turning off high-energy appliances when not in use or shifting usage to off-peak hours. By highlighting hidden energy drains and giving you precise control, the EMPORIA monitor enables actionable savings, making it one of the most effective tools for reducing unnecessary electricity costs in modern homes.

The Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance Smart Light Bulb provides precise control over when and how your lights are used. With Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with voice assistants like Alexa, you can turn lights on and off remotely, dim them, or set automated schedules so they’re only on when needed. Dimming the lights not only creates the perfect ambiance but also lowers energy consumption, as brightness directly affects power usage. By replacing traditional incandescent or less efficient bulbs, the Hue system uses energy better, while automation and timers prevent lights from being left on unnecessarily, one of the simplest yet most effective ways to cut everyday electricity costs. Additionally, the ability to control multiple bulbs at once and integrate them into broader smart home routines further maximises energy savings without compromising convenience or comfort.

The TP-Link Kasa KP303 Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip gives you centralised control over multiple devices at once, making it easy to cut power to electronics that would otherwise consume energy in standby mode. With three outlets and two USB ports, you can connect your TV, gaming consoles, chargers, and other devices, then remotely turn them off via smartphone or voice assistants like Alexa, Google Home, or Samsung SmartThings. The built-in scheduling and timer features let you automate usage. It makes sure devices are only powered when needed, while the ability to control each outlet individually allows you to target the heaviest standby energy drains. By eliminating phantom power and preventing accidental overuse, the KP303 helps households reduce unnecessary electricity consumption efficiently, offering a simple, practical way to lower energy bills without changing your daily habits.

The Xiaomi Smart Standing Air Circulation Fan allows you to rely less on high-energy cooling systems like air conditioners. By circulating air efficiently, it creates a wind-chill effect that makes rooms feel cooler, so you can set your AC at a higher temperature or run it for shorter periods without sacrificing comfort. Its smart features, including remote control via app, scheduling, and adjustable speed settings, ensure the fan operates only when needed, preventing unnecessary energy use. Compared to running an AC continuously, using a fan strategically requires significantly less electricity, making it an effective, low-cost way to reduce cooling costs while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.